Nanan STEM Academy Showcases Student Innovations at Annual Fair

The Nanan STEM Academy hosted its fourth annual student fair at the Saskatchewan Science Centre, providing a platform for students to demonstrate their talents in various fields, including coding, robotics, video game design, 3D printing, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. The event, held on October 7, 2023, highlighted the growing importance of technological skills in today’s educational landscape.

Empowering Future Innovators

Co-founder Shaun Nanan emphasized the significance of this event as an opportunity for students to apply their skills in practical settings. “They learn things like math and creativity, logical sequencing, troubleshooting, coding, and resiliency,” he stated during the fair. “They gain confidence when they’re working on these video games.” Nanan aims to foster not only technical skill development but also essential non-technical skills that are crucial in the modern workplace.

According to Nanan, skills such as leadership, collaboration, communication, and cultural competency are equally important. “The best way to deliver this is through interactive STEM activities,” he explained. “By working in groups, students gain collaboration skills. Those who may have been shy initially become confident in showcasing their projects to the public.”

Inspiring Young Minds

Among the attendees was Abdurahman Honey, a student support assistant with Truly Alive, who traveled from Saskatoon to engage younger students in robotics. “It’s something fun that the kids have been doing,” said Honey, a second-year student at the University of Saskatchewan. “I wanted to expose them to something that’s robotics-related. Today serves as a learning stepping stone for them.”

The Nanan STEM Academy expressed gratitude for the resources that have made such events possible. Nanan remarked on the ongoing commitment to host STEM fairs every six months across Saskatchewan, specifically in October and April. This regular schedule allows students to continually engage in STEM-related activities, further cultivating their interests and skills.

As technology continues to evolve, events like the Nanan STEM Academy’s student fair play a vital role in preparing the next generation for future challenges. By integrating creative and technical disciplines, students are not only learning to innovate but also developing the confidence needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.